Budget blamed for end to 12 months of expansion as optimism slumps

Labour's first budget in 14 years has been given the "thumbs down" by private sector businesses, with Rachel Reeves's measures blamed for the end to a 12-month run of expansion and a fall in retail sales.

- Mark Sweney Phillip Inman

Many businesses said the first fall in business activity in November since the same month last year was a result of tax rises announced by the chancellor, while official figures showed retail sales had dropped in October, the first month of the "golden quarter" for retailers before the Christmas rush.

Manufacturers registered a "solid decline" in new work and the rate of contraction accelerated to the fastest level since February, according to a closely watched survey by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Chris Williamson, the firm's chief business economist, said the contraction in November was only marginal, but reflected deeper concern about the prospects for the year ahead.

The S&P Global Flash purchasing managers' index (PMI) dropped from 51.8 to 49.9, based on polling of company managers this month.